Fewer Americans Are Smoking Now than Five Years Ago
Less Americans are smoking than they were five years ago, and those who are still partaking in tobacco inhalation are doing so less frequently than they used to. Many individuals have quit or found alternatives such as the e cig since the government ramped up its anti-smoking campaign and targeted having just 12 percent of the population smoking by this year. They have not quite reached that rate, but the drop-off that has been achieved is still considered a good thing.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 19.3% of adults in the nation smoked, which is down from the 21 percent who lit up back in 2005. The nearly two percent of Americans who kicked the habit is significant, but, as mentioned, is far from the benchmark that had been set. Daily smoking numbers dipped by a substantial amount as well. Those individuals who smoke 30 cigarettes or more per day has slid to eight percent, which is down from 13 percent in '05. If you want to join the ranks of ex-smokers but are having some troubles quitting, try stepping down gradually with the assistance of something like the e cig.
What do all of those percentiles mean in raw numbers? That three million less people were smoking in this country last year than were five years prior. It should be noted, though, that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported numbers that fluctuated over the five year period. Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the Atlanta-based agency stated that any drop is something to be proud of, but this one was not on pace with the number of quitters registered over the previous 40 year period. Of course, it makes sense that the fight will only grow more arduous as the number of smokers in America moves ever closer to zero.
"About half of all smokers will be killed by tobacco if they don't quit," Frieden stated during a news briefing. "You don't have to be a heavy smoker or a long-time smoker to get a smoking-related disease or have a heart attack or asthma attack," Frieden said. "The sooner you quit smoking, the sooner your body can begin to heal."
Most smokers today are from low-income families and rates are highest among Native Americans and Alaskan Eskimos. The CDC is far from ready to declare victory, but they feel they have made large strides in the fight against traditional cigarettes. They will continue to push forward their efforts to get Americans to quit smoking or at least try healthier alternatives such as the electronic cigarette.
- Article Word Count: 434
- |
- Total Views: 2
- |
- permalink